Description

This Oven Baked Chicken Breast recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts seasoned with a flavorful blend of brown sugar, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Perfectly baked at 425°F, the chicken is easy to prepare and pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables and rice pilaf for a nutritious, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

4 (6 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 & 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt (reduce to 1/2 teaspoon if using table salt)
3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Additional

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Roasted vegetables and rice pilaf, for serving

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with foil to ensure easy cleanup.
Pound the Chicken: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound each chicken breast to about 3/4-inch thickness. This helps the chicken cook evenly and remain tender.
Prepare the Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder, mixing thoroughly.
Season the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts on the foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over both sides and massage it into the chicken. Evenly coat each piece with the seasoning mix, covering as much surface area as possible.
Bake the Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for about 18 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the chicken once it reaches 162 degrees and allow residual heat to reach 165 degrees during resting.
Rest the Chicken: Let the chicken rest on the pan for 5 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful bite.
Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve alongside your choice of roasted vegetables and rice pilaf for a complete meal.

Notes

For even cooking, ensure all chicken breasts are the same thickness before baking.
Adjust salt quantity based on the type of salt used to avoid over-seasoning.
Use an instant-read thermometer for best results to prevent drying out the chicken.
Letting the chicken rest before slicing locks in the juices and keeps it tender.
This recipe pairs well with a variety of sides such as steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or quinoa.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (6 oz)
Calories: 280
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 550 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 8 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Protein: 40 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: oven baked chicken breast, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken dinner, baked chicken with seasoning, weeknight dinner